Method of laundering articles

ABSTRACT

A method of laundering articles is described wherein water used is heated to no more than 40° C. and wherein in a single washing process there are no more than two wash cycles followed by at least one rinse cycle. In one of the wash cycles at least two laundry preparations are used, a first of the laundry preparations being in powder form and including up to 15% by weight a powdered detergent, and a second of the laundry preparations being in liquid form and including at least one of a degreasing emulsifier and a bleach. In addition, the laundry preparations in total have up to 10% by weight a terpene. As the method uses water temperatures of no more than 40° C., significant savings can be made in the energy that would otherwise be used on heating the washing water and a separate bleaching cycle is not required.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of laundering articles, inparticular heavily soiled and specialized fabric materials such aswhitework, workwear and high visibility garments and articles attemperatures of no more than 40° C.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In commercial laundries, industrial-size washing machines containing upto 100 kg of articles for washing are used which depend on a constantflow of pre-heated water and into which metered quantities of washingpowder and adjuncts are pumped by dosing apparatus. Conventionally, inorder to wash heavily soiled articles such as table cloths, hospitalbedding, workwear and the like, it is necessary to use high-temperaturewater, mechanical action within the washing machine, and high alkalinityand enzyme detergents. The cost of pre-heating the water to temperaturesof 60° C. and greater for use in the washing process makes up asignificant proportion of the cost of such a process. Typically thewater is heated by injecting steam into it and significant time andenergy is taken up producing the steam for this purpose.

Also, as the washing cycle itself is likely to be for time in excess of20 minutes, steam continues to have to be generated throughout thewashing cycle to ensure that the washing liquor is maintained at thecorrect temperature. Such heavy washing also typically requires at leasttwo and sometimes more rinse cycles to remove the washing preparationsfrom the articles and reduce their alkalinity to acceptable levels.

In addition, articles such as whitework, such as table and bed linen,and white workwear are usually bleached.

However, the maximum temperature at which conventional bleaches can beused within a washing process is 60° C. if damage to the washed articlesis to be prevented. As the washing cycle of such articles usually takesplace at around 80° C., a separate bleaching cycle must be carried outwherein a cooler water temperature is used. This prolongs the washingprocess and involves the use of a considerable quantity of water thatstill requires heating to the appropriate temperature.

There are, however, some forms of specialized fabric materials whichcannot be cleaned by such means, in particular high visibility garmentsand articles typically comprising fabric to which is adhered tinyreflective glass beads. These fabrics cannot be laundered at hightemperatures without significant damage occurring to their reflectivecapacity. As a result, they tend to be pre-washed or soaked in solventsto remove oil and grease stains before being washed at a low temperatureno higher than 40° C. This special treatment adds greatly to the cost oftheir cleaning.

Also, some fabrics, such as polycottons, which comprise a mixture ofsynthetic and natural fibers are liable to suffer “thermal shock” ifthey undergo a water extraction process such as spinning or pressingimmediately after a high temperature washing cycle. This means than theybecome creased in such a way that the creases are set into the fabricuntil they are washed again. To prevent thermal shock, this type offabric must be cooled in stages from say an 80° C. wash down to a 60° C.wash and then down to a 40° C. wash before they can rinsed and the spunor pressed. All of this takes considerable time and energy to carry outthe required number of wash cycles at different temperatures.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of launderingarticles, such as those detailed above, that can be used in commerciallaundries with conventional washing machines provided with powder dosingapparatus and liquid additive injectors and that overcomes orsubstantially mitigates the aforementioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a method oflaundering articles using water heated to no more than 40° C. wherein ina single washing process there are no more than two wash cycles followedby at least one rinse cycle and wherein in one of the wash cycles acombination of at least two laundry preparations is used, a first of thelaundry preparations being in powder form and containing up to 15% byweight a powdered detergent, and a second of the laundry preparationsbeing in liquid form and comprising at least one of a degreasingemulsifier and a bleach, the laundry preparations in total comprising upto 10% by weight a terpene.

Although terpenes, preferably, for example d-limonene or dipentene or amixture of d-limonene and dipentene, are known ingredients in washingpreparations, they have not before been incorporated in such quantity ina laundry preparation for use in combination with a degreasingemulsifier or a bleach. It was surprisingly found that such acombination gives outstanding cleaning results on all forms of heavilysoiled and specialized fabric materials using water temperatures of nomore than 40° C. This means that significant savings can be made in theenergy that would otherwise be used on heating the washing water. Also,as the water used in the present method is never greater than 40° C.,unlike conventional laundering methods, a separate bleaching cycle isnot required and the bleach can be used in the main wash cycle. Thisresults in significant savings in water consumption, energy consumptionand time over conventional methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally, laundry preparations in powder form are preferred to those inliquid form in industrial laundries because a smaller volume ofpreparation needs to be used to provide a desired concentration ofwashing liquor. Usually, a large volume of liquid detergent is requiredto produce the same concentration. This is inconvenient as regardsstorage and use of the preparations. Given this, the reason for thecombination of a laundry preparation in powder form with one in liquidform in the present invention is that it is not possible to incorporatesignificant quantities of the degreasing emulsifiers, which compriseliquids, into the powder preparation without it dissolving to form aslurry.

Hence, the requirement for the combination.

The terpenes, which comprise volatile oily liquids, can either beincorporated into the powder preparation, added to the liquidpreparation or be injected separately directly into the washing water.Preferably, however, it has been found it that the best cleaning resultsoccur if the terpenes are mixed into the powder preparation. This isalso surprising as it is generally thought that the incorporation ofsuch a quantity in a washing preparation would require the preparationto be in a gel or liquid form with the terpene suspended therein in amicro-emulsion otherwise the terpene would quickly evaporate away. Suchliquids or gels preclude the dispensing of such a preparation by aconventional powder dosing apparatus associated with an industrialtunnel washing machine. They are also difficult to dispense using liquidinjectors in view of their sticky, viscous nature. However, it wassurprisingly found that simply by blending up to 10% by weight of aliquid terpene into a dry laundry washing preparation in powder formthat the liquid became dispersed within the powder and was therebyretained so that does not evaporate away significantly quickly.

Preferably therefore, the first laundry preparation in powder formcontains up to 15% by weight a powdered detergent in which up to 10% byweight a terpene has been dispersed.

Such a preparation is manufactured by dry blending the powderedingredients and then by mixing the liquid terpene component into theblend to disperse the liquid into the dry powder ingredients.Preferably, the liquid terpene is sprayed into the blended powderedingredients, which are then further blended to disperse the liquid.

Preferably, the terpene comprises an equal mixture of d-limonene anddipentene and forms up to 5% by weight of the first laundry preparation.

The other ingredients of the powder preparation preferably comprise upto 70% by weight inorganic salts. For example, the preparation maycomprise up to 33% by weight sodium carbonate and up to 40% sodiumchloride. The sodium carbonate acts in known manner as a water softenerand provides alkalinity when dissolved in the washing water. The sodiumchloride is believed to act as a synergistic ionic accelerator whichimproves the action of the other ingredients. A builder, such as sodiumtripolyphosphate, may also be added at up to 25% by weight.

An anti-redeposition agent, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose mayalso be added to the preparation.

Other optional ingredients may be added to the preparation to produceparticular effects. Such ingredients comprise optical brighteningagents, enzymes, bleaches, biocides, flame-retardant compounds, dirtrepellents, and perfumes.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the powder preparation operatesdifferently from conventional laundry powders that usually act ongreases and oils by saponification, that is by using a high pH washingliquor in combination with an elevated washing temperature andmechanical action oil and grease soiling is removed by turning it into asoap that is then dissolved in the water.

However, in the method of the present invention the terpenes in thelaundry preparations act as solvents to dissolve oil and grease soilingdirectly, the resulting solution then being dispersed and saponifiedwithin the washing liquor with the need for a greatly reduced alkalinityto achieve this result. This is a much more efficient process as it doesnot require a washing liquor temperature of more than 40° C. andsignificantly less mechanical action, which saves washing time.

The low temperature used in the method also has the significantadvantage that thermal shock of the articles being washed is avoided.

Various basic examples of a powder preparation for use in a methodaccording to the invention will now be listed. In all cases, thepreparation was manufactured by dry blending of the powdered ingredientsinto which dry mix the liquid terpene component was sprayed and mixed into disperse the liquid into the dry powder ingredients. The proportionsof the ingredients set forth in the examples are percentages by weight.

EXAMPLE 1

Nonyl phenol ethoxylate (9 ETO)  4% D-limonene  5% Sodium carboxymethylcellulose  2% Sodium carbonate 30% Sodium tripolyphosate 25% Sodiumchloride 34%

EXAMPLE 2

Nonyl phenol ethoxylate (9 ETO)  4% Dipentene  5% Sodium carboxymethylcellulose  2% Sodium carbonate 30% Sodium tripolyphosate 25% Sodiumchloride 34%

EXAMPLE 3

Nonyl phenol ethoxylate (9 ETO)  4% D-limonene 2.5%  Dipentene 2.5% Sodium carbonate 30% Sodium tripolyphosate 25% Sodium chloride 34%Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose  2%

EXAMPLE 4

Nonyl phenol ethoxylate (9 ETO)  4% D-limonene 2.5%  Dipentene 2.5% Sodium carbonate 29% Sodium tripolyphosate 24% Sodium chloride 34%Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose  2% Nitrilotriacetic acid 3NA  2%

The above formulations can all be adjusted slightly to take into accountthe addition, in small quantities, of the additional ingredients such asoptical brighteners, blue speckles, perfumes and other common additivesto washing powders, for example by adjusting the proportion of sodiumchloride in the composition.

The second laundry preparation in liquid form comprises either a bleachor a degreasing emulsifier. If the preparation comprises bleach, thenthis can comprise any conventional chlorine based bleaching agent, suchas sodium hypochlorite, or hydrogen peroxide, both of which are alreadyused in industrial laundries.

If the second laundry preparation comprises a degreasing emulsifier,then this preferably comprises a nonionic surfactant such as, forexample nonyl phenol ethoxylate. Alternatively, the degreasingemulsifier may comprise an alcohol ethoxylate.

In order that the efficiencies of the method proposed herein can beappreciated, reference should be made to the following tables whereinfour different laundry processes using a method in accordance with thepresent invention are described in the tables labeled Table 1A-4A forcomparison with a conventional laundry method as described in the tableslabeled Table 1B-4B. In both cases, the washing processes used the sametype of articles and the same type of conventional industrial washingmachine comprising a washing drum, powder dosing apparatus and liquidadditive injectors to achieve similar cleaning results. In these tables,the time taken for the washing machine to perform various functionswithin one washing or rinse cycle of a washing processes is indicated,these functions being defined as follows.

Function Definition Fill Filling a drum of the machine with water todesired level Heat Heating the water to a desired temperature, asindicated in the table Wash Tumbling the drum of the machine to cause amechanical washing action after the indicated chemical additions havebeen added to the water to create an aqueous washing liquor DrainDraining the aqueous washing liquor from the drum Rinse Tumbling thedrum of the machine to cause a mechanical rinsing action after anyindicated chemical additions have been added to the water to create anaqueous rinsing liquor Low Extract Spinning the drum at a relatively lowrpm to extract washing liquor from the articles themselves High ExtractSpinning the drum at a higher rpm than that used in the Low Extract toextract all free washing liquor from the articles

The meanings of other terms used with the tables are as follows. Low DipThis refers to the level to which drum of the machine is filled withwater. If a ‘Low Dip’ is used, the water level is relatively low so thatthe actual volume of water used is lower resulting in a higherconcentration of any chemical additions thereto than with a ‘High Dip’function and also a greater mechanical action on the articles when thedrum is rotated during washing and rinsing functions. High Dip This alsorefers to the level to which drum of the machine is filled with water.If a ‘High Dip’ is used, the water level is higher than that in the ‘LowDip’ level so that the actual volume of water used is greater resultingin a lower concentration of any chemical additions thereto than with a‘Low Dip’ function and also a lower mechanical action on the articleswhen the drum is rotated during washing and rinsing functions. Med DipThis is an abbreviation for ‘Medium Dip’ and again refers to the levelto which drum of the machine is filled with water. If a ‘Med Dip’ isused, the water level is higher than that in the ‘Low Dip’ level butgreater than that in the ‘High Dip’ level with concomitant effects onthe mechanical action and concentration of the chemical additions.Chemical These comprise the laundry preparations that are used in thewashing and Additions rinsing functions. In the Tables 1A-4A relating tothe washing processes in accordance with the present invention, thepreparations are as defined herein. In the Tables 1B-4B relating toconventional washing process, the detergents used are conventionalindustrial washing powders, which generally do not contain anysignificant terpene content, conventional laundry bleaches, andconventional laundry degreasing emulsifiers. In all cases, thequantities stated are per kg of articles to be laundered.

Laundry Process 1 Lightly Soiled Cotton Whites

TABLE 1A Method in Accordance with Present Invention Total Wash ProcessTime - 35 minutes Function Parameters Time Chemical Additions Fill Lowdip 1 1. 10 g/kg powder formulated in accordance with the present method2. 5 ml/kg Liquid bleach Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 8 Drain 1 Low Extract 1 FillHigh dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Low Extract 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1Low Extract 1 High Extract 8

TABLE 1B Conventional Method Total Wash Process Time - 50 minutesFunction Parameters Time Chemical Additions Fill Low dip 1 1. 10 g/kgConventional detergent Heat 80° C. 5 Wash 8 Drain 1 Fill Med dip 2 1. 5ml/kg Liquid bleach Heat 60° C. 3 Wash 6 Drain 1 Low Extract 1 Fill Highdip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Low Extract 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 LowExtract 1 High Extract 8

Laundry Process 2 Heavily Soiled Cotton Whites

TABLE 2A Method in Accordance with Present Invention Total Wash ProcessTime - 45 minutes Function Parameters Time Chemical Additions Fill Lowdip 1 1. 10 g/kg powder formulated in accordance with the present method2. 5 ml/kg Liquid bleach Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 4 Drain 1 Fill Low dip 1 1.5 g/kg powder formulated in accordance with the present method 2. 5ml/kg Liquid bleach 3. 5 ml/kg Liquid degreasing emulsifier Heat 40° C.2 Wash 10 Drain 1 Low Extract 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 LowExtract 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Low Extract 1 High Extract 8

TABLE 2B Conventional Method Total Wash Process Time - 63 minutesFunction Parameters Time Chemical Additions Fill Low dip 1 1. 5 g/kgConventional detergent 2. 5 ml/kg Bleach Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 5 Drain 1Fill Low dip 1 1. 10 g/kg Conventional detergent 2. 5 ml/kg Degreasingemulsifier Heat 80° C. 5 Wash 12 Drain 1 Fill Med dip 2 1. 5 ml/kgBleach Heat 60° C. 3 Wash 6 Drain 1 Low Extract 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse2 Drain 1 Low Extract 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Low Extract 1High Extract 8

Laundry Process 3 Coloured Polycotton Overalls

TABLE 3A Method in Accordance with Present Invention Total Wash ProcessTime - 40 Function Parameters Time Chemical Additions Fill Low dip 1 1.20 g/kg powder formulated in accordance with the present method 2. 8ml/kg Degreasing emulsifier Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 12 Drain 1 Fill Low dip 1Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 4 Drain 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Fill Highdip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Low Extract 4

TABLE 3B Conventional Method Total Wash Process Time - 56 minutesFunction Parameters Time Chemical Additions Fill Low dip 1 1. 20 g/kgConventional Detergent 2. 8 ml/kg Degreasing emulsifier Heat 80° C. 5Wash 18 Drain 1 Fill Low dip 1 Heat 60° C. 3 Wash 2 Drain 1 Fill Low dip1 1. 5 g/kg Conventional Detergent Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 4 Drain 1 FillHigh dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Low Extract 4

Laundry Process 4 White Polycotton Overalls

TABLE 4A Method in Accordance with Present Invention Total Wash ProcessTime - 40 Function Parameters Time Chemical Additions Fill Low dip 1 1.12 g/kg powder formulated in accordance with the present method 2. 5ml/kg Bleach Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 4 Drain 1 Fill Low dip 1 1. 6 g/kgpowder formulated in accordance with the present method 2. 8 ml/kgDegreasing emulsifier 3. 5 ml/kg Bleach Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 12 Drain 1Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 LowExtract 4

TABLE 4B Conventional Method Total Wash Process Time - 60 minutesFunction Parameters Time Chemical Additions Fill Low dip 1 1. 6 g/kgConventional Detergent 2. 5 ml/kg Bleach Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 4 Drain 1Fill Low dip 1 1. 12 g/kg Conventional Detergent 2. 8 ml/kg Degreasingemulsifier Heat 80° C. 5 Wash 12 Drain 1 Fill Low dip 1 1. 5 ml/kgBleach Heat 60° C. 3 Wash 6 Drain 1 Fill Low dip 1 Heat 40° C. 2 Wash 2Drain 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Fill High dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1Low Extract 4

The method according to the invention is particularly effective in thewashing of heavily soiled materials, in particular whitework andworkwear at a temperature which is considerably lower than thoseconventionally used for such articles. In all of the examples, a maximumof two wash cycles is carried out so that at least one complete washcycle is omitted as compared to conventional methods. In some cases, forexample in Process 4, two whole wash cycles are omitted. It will beappreciated that this is a considerable advantage to commerciallaundries in particular because it means that they can achieve the samecleaning efficiency in a much shorter time and without having to heatthe large quantities of water required for at least one wash cycle. Thecost is therefore considerably reduced. Also, although not featured inthe examples above, specialized fabrics materials, such as therelatively delicate high visibility garments already mentioned can beefficiently cleaned without the need to use a high temperature andwithout having to carry out any pre-wash treatments such as soaking ordipping.

In addition, using the formulations of laundry preparations indicatedabove also has the added advantage that at the final rinse stage of thewashing process, the rinsing water is substantially pH neutral, i.e. pH7, unlike many conventional laundry powders which tend to be stillalkaline at this stage, typically between pH 8 and pH 9. This makes themethod in accordance with the present invention ecologically friendly. Amaximum of two rinse cycles is only every required and for theseunheated water can be used.

Also, if the articles being washed comprise whitework such as bed linesor tableware, then they are often starched and calendered after washing.If the final rinsing liquor is alkaline, then the calendering processcan cause sodium matabisulphide sales to be formed in the fabric,leaving brown stains. This is called galling within the laundryindustry. It will, be appreciated that in view of the comparativeneutrality of the final rinsing liquor in the method according to thepresent invention that galling is much less likely to occur.

The above formulations are also suitable for use in hard water areaswithout the need to use water softening preparations and additionalsalt. They also have biocidal tendencies, which is advantageousgenerally.

The savings in time in the washing process of the present invention cancause unexpected problems in industrial laundries because the washedarticles tend to overload the drying facilities. As an additional,optional feature of the method according to the invention, therefore,preferably in the final rinse cycle of the washing process the articlesare rinsed at a low dip in an aqueous solution of a cationic surfactant,typically at 0.6% w/w concentration. It has been found that such asolution tends to increase the run-off of water from the fabric of thearticles during the final water extraction by up to 40%. As a result thearticles are drier when they leave the washing machine so that theyrequire a shorter drying time.

Preferably, the cationic surfactant comprises a quaternary ammoniumcompound, for example a benzyl quaternary of ethoxylated monoalkylamine.

Such a surfactant also has the added advantage that it also forms asacrificial, mono-molecular film over the surface of the article thatconditions the fabric and also tends to repel dirt to reduce resoilingof the article.

Preferably also, the cationic surfactant is used in combination with analcohol, for example isopropyl alcohol, preferably in a proportion of3:1 by weight.

The alcohol in combination with the surfactant also provides anunexpected advantage in that it significantly reduces the drying time ofthe articles which have been rinsed in it. Hence, not only is thequantity of liquid left in the articles after extraction at the end of awashing process significantly reduced but the subsequent drying time ofthe articles is also lower than would otherwise be expected.

Taking into account all of the aforementioned advantages, it is possibleto formulate a standard washing method, as detailed below, that can beused for the majority of articles to be laundered, including heavilyblood-stained overalls and bedding, or oil/grease stained overalls.TABLE 5A ‘Standard’ Method in Accordance with Present Invention TotalWash Process Time - 29.5 minutes Function Parameters Time ChemicalAdditions Fill Low dip 1 1. 15 g/kg powder formulated in accordance withthe present method 2. 7 ml/kg Degreasing emulsifier 3. 5 ml/kg Liquidbleach (Optional) Heat 40° C. 1 Wash 12 Drain 0.5 Low Extract 1 FillHigh dip 3 Rinse 2 Drain 1 Fill Low dip 1 1. 0.6% w/w Cationicsurfactant with alcohol Rinse 2 Drain 1 Low Extract 1 High Extract 3

This method can be adjusted slightly dependent on the nature of thearticles being washed, for example by adding bleach or not, butotherwise can stay the same. In some cases, it may be appropriate forthe liquid bleach to be added part of the way through the single washcycle. For example, after 7 minutes of the 12 minute wash, rather thaninitially.

The method can also be modified by combining both rinse cycles into asingle cycle which starts out as a conventional cold rinse at a high dipbut which after a predetermined period of time, say 2 minutes, insteadof draining all of the rinsing liquor from the machine and starting asecond rinse cycle, simply removes the liquor down to the low dip level,adds the cationic surfactant and then conducts a second rinse and therest of a final rinsing cycle.

If a benefit comparison is carried out by comparing the above washingmethod for 90 kg dry weight of polycotton workwear with a conventionalwashing method, such as detailed in Table 3B above for the same quantityand type of workwear using the same industrial washing machine, then thesavings in water consumption, hot water consumption, heat energy andtime are as follows.

1. Water Savings Present Method Conventional Method Saving (%) Waterinput 1278 liters 1638 liters 22%

As water is charged by cost to buy in and to dispose of as waste water,then the 22% saving is doubled with the present method.

2. Hot Water Savings Present Method Conventional Method Saving (%) HotWater 248 liters 608 liters 59%

This is calculated using two washes at 80° C. and 60° C. followed by a40° C. rinse in the conventional method and a single 40° C. wash asindicated in Table 5A in the present method.

3. Heat Energy Savings Present Method Conventional Method Saving (%) Kgof Steam 9.3 Kg 45.5 Kg 80% required

Using conventional laundry equipment, it costs approximately E10 toproduce 1000 Kg of steam.

4. Time Savings Present Method Conventional Method Saving (%) WashProcess 29.5 minutes 46.5 minutes 37% Time taken Total number Of 13 19(cf. Table 3B) Machine Operations

This is again calculated using two washes at 80° C. and 60° C. followedby a 40° C. rinse in the conventional method and a wash method asindicated in Table 5A in the present method.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the method in accordance withthe present invention provides substantial savings to the benefit bothof the industrial laundry, the consumer and the environment. Thebenefits of the method can be summarized as follows.

-   -   Can be used with any conventional industrial washing machine    -   Provides substantial savings on water consumption, steam        consumption, and wash dips    -   The number of separate washing cycles are reduced increasing        laundry throughput on a daily basis    -   The method is suitable for use in hard water areas without the        need for salt and water softeners    -   All types and classifications of laundry can be washed at a        maximum of 40° C., including heavy, blood-stained whitework    -   The savings include less wear and tear on boilers and machinery        as the demand for steam is reduced by at least half    -   The formulations detailed above for use in the method are very        low in alkali and the low temperature wash avoids chemical        damage occurring to fabrics caused by alkali crystallization        within the weave of linen at high temperature (galling)    -   The total number of washing cycles is reduced over conventional        methods    -   Thermal shock is avoided

1. A method of laundering articles comprising: using water heated to nomore than 40° C. in a single washing process of no more than two washcycles; and rinsing in at least one rinse cycle, wherein in one of thewash cycles a washing mix comprised of at least two laundry preparationsis used, a first of the laundry preparations being in powder form andcomprising up to 15% by weight a powdered detergent, and a second of thelaundry preparations being in liquid form and comprising at least one ofa degreasing emulsifier and a bleach, the laundry preparations in totalcomprising up to 10% by weight a terpene.
 2. A method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the rinsing is comprised of no more than two rinsecycles.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a final rinse cyclecomprises rising articles in an aqueous solution of a cationicsurfactant.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a single rinsecycle commences with a cold water rinse at a high dip; and wherein aftera predetermined period of time rinsing liquor is drained down to a lowdip level prior to the addition of the cationic surfactant thereto.
 5. Amethod as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cationic surfactant comprisesa quaternary ammonium compound.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 3,wherein the cationic surfactant comprises a benzyl quaternary ofethoxylated monoalkyl amine.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 3, whereinthe final rinse cycle comprises rinsing the articles in an aqueoussolution comprised of a cationic surfactant and an alcohol.
 8. A methodas claimed in claim 7, wherein relative proportion of the cationicsurfactant to the alcohol is 3:1.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 8,wherein the cationic surfactant and alcohol are added to a final rinsesolution to produce a 0.6% w/w concentration.
 10. A method as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the alcohol comprises an isopropyl alcohol.
 11. Amethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein the terpene is comprised of ad-limonene or dipentene or a mixture of d-limonene and dipentene.
 12. Amethod as claimed in claim 11, wherein the terpene comprises an equalmixture of d-limonene and dipentene.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first laundry preparation comprises the terpene at 5% byweight.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquiddegreasing emulsifier is comprised of a nonionic surfactant.
 15. Amethod as claimed in claim 14, wherein the nonionic surfactant iscomprised of a nonyl phenol ethoxylate or an alcohol ethoxylate.
 16. Amethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first laundry preparationcomprises up to 70% by weight inorganic salts.
 17. A method as claimedclaim 1, wherein the first laundry preparation comprises up to 33% byweight sodium carbonate.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefirst laundry preparation comprises up to 40% by weight sodium chloride.19. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first laundrypreparation is as described.
 20. A method of laundering articles asclaimed in claim 1 and as described herein.
 21. A method as claimed inclaim 20, wherein a final rinse cycle comprises rinsing the articles inan aqueous solution of a cationic surfactant.